2024 Activity Report - Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship & Innovation at HEC Paris: 2024 Activity ReportIt’s time for our 2024 Activity Report! This past year marked a major milestone with the creation of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, bringing together three centers dedicated to one bold mission: empowering entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Explore the impact our startups achieved in 2024, discover the milestones reached, the ecosystem that’s thriving, as well as the programs and initiatives fueling the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.
The HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute supports innovators and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. We are training them to solve global challenges with ambition, efficiency and impact, integrating them within a rich and dynamic ecosystem. Ranked in the Top 5 European Start-Up Hubs 2025 by the Financial Times, HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute connects ventures, mentors, and corporates, driving lasting impact across business transformation and society.
2024 Key Figures
> 599 startups and companies supported
> 38% female founders or co-founders
> €1.9B raised by HEC Paris startups
> 1,000+ experts and mentors
> 16 unicorns worldwide founded by HEC Alumni (including 3 new unicorns in 2024)
One institute, three centers of excellence
Entrepreneurship isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each founder, idea, and stage of growth calls for a tailored approach. That’s why our Institute delivers a wide spectrum of programs across our centers, each designed to meet the specific needs of every entrepreneur and to equip them with the right tools to bring their vision to life.
Incubation & Acceleration Center
Powering entrepreneurs to shape the future.
We equip bold game-changers with the right assets, network, and opportunities to make an impact.
> 246 startups supported in 2024
> 34% female founders
> 38% international startups
> 16 programs
> 44 student projects supported in the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad program
> +140 students in the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad program
> Alexandre Prot, CEO and Co-founder (Qonto), sponsor of the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad program
Deep Tech Center
Bridging Science, entrepreneurship & innovation.
We connect scientific research with business, accelerating the journey of science-based innovations and cutting-edge technologies from lab to market.
> 314 deeptech startups supported in 2024
> 39% female founders
> 68% international startups
> 10 programs
> 1 Lab
Social Entrepreneurship Center
Entrepreneurship for a more inclusive future.
We empower impact-driven entrepreneurs with skills, resources, and autonomy to scale solutions that drive systemic change, foster sustainable and inclusive growth.
> 1,431 women trained, including 452 certified in 2024
> 39 Social structures supported in 2024
> 3 programs: HEC Stand Up, HEC Up, Accélérateur ESS
Connecting the Dots: A truly global ecosystem
Each year, the strength of our ecosystem pushes us to break barriers. In 2024, our Institute and programs transcended borders, driving impact across the globe.
> +51% of our startups are international
> 16+ countries visited in 2024
> 6 unicorns founded by HEC Alumni with HQs outside France
With 30+ in-house events every month and 10,000 participants per year, our ecosystem at HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute is always dynamic. Here are some of the key activities we’ve been involved in throughout 2024 internationally:
- Creative Destruction Lab Carbon Removal Stream in USA (San Fransisco)
- KOSME & KISED programs in South Korea
- HEC Paris at Heilbronn Slush’d in Germany
- HEC Challenge + Africa Demo Days in Ivory Coast and Senegal
- Grand Pitch Night Startup Launchpad in the UK (London)
- Launch of the new CDL Next Generation Computing stream in Germany
Case studies
For thoses curious about what real-world innovation looks like at HEC Paris, let's check out our case studies and discover how groundbreaking ideas turn into action. From academic insights on startup mentorship to international programs accelerating deep tech ventures, and new investment funds making waves in social impact, these stories show what it takes to build the future.
IndiaAI Startups Global: International Acceleration Program for Indian AI Startups
The IndiaAI Startups Global initiative, a collaboration between IndiaAI, Station F, and HEC Paris, provides a 4-month, fully funded program in Paris for 10 chosen Indian AI startups, offering them global market expansion opportunities, mentorship, and access to investors.
ION Management Lab, an Academic Research Lab Focusing on Mentorship's Role in Startups
HEC Paris and the HEC Foundation have announced a 10 million Euro gift from ION Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Italian entrepreneur Andrea Pignataro, to establish the ION Management Science Lab within the Deep Tech Center at the HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute.
Time4, a new social impact investment fund
The Daphni fund, HEC Paris, Les Déterminés and Live for Good are launching a seed fund to support projects in priority neighborhoods and rural areas, and inject diversity into the French Tech.
Success Stories: HEC Paris Entrepreneurs Redefining Innovation in 2024
We made it happen. They made it BIG!
In 2024, HEC Paris entrepreneurs brought their ideas to life on the ground - connecting with customers, learning from seasoned founders, and pitching to top-tier investors. That’s how bold ideas turn into real-world impact.
> Biomemory secured €17M to revolutionize data storage through DNA
> Beauté Innée, the first virtual skin care institute, showcases its solution at VivaTech
> Revyze raised $6 million to empower students through peer-to-peer learning
> Plateau Urbain redefined urban spaces for a more inclusive future
Their work reflects a distinctly European approach to innovation: methodical in execution, ethically grounded, and attuned to broader societal contexts.
A Recognized Ecosystem
Over the years, industry rankings have become a window into what’s shaping entrepreneurship and innovation. While the criteria keep evolving, one thing remains the same: these lists spotlight who’s driving change. In 2024, we kept a close eye on how our startups stood out, showing just how far their impact reaches.
We're also proud to be ranked 4th among the Top European Start-Up Hubs in 2025 by the Financial Times - and number 4 globally for producing DeepTech startup founders (and the #1 business school), according to the Observatoire DeepTech University Ranking.
Read also: From Tech to Deep Tech, HEC Paris startups make their stand in major rankings
“The growth of our Institute over the past few years is closely tied to the startups we have helped scale. In 2024, we strengthened our three centers and expanded our international collaborations. The Deep Tech Center welcomed new partners, the Incubation & Acceleration Center launched new programs across additional countries, and the Social and Entrepreneurship Center saw its most significant growth to date. None of this would have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners, professors, HEC Alumni and the HEC Foundation. We are proud to share with you our 2024 Activity Report, an invitation to explore the full scope of our dynamic and impactful ecosystem.”
- Inge Kerloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director of HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute
